From the very beginning of the 2021 season, Luke Dunstan's back was against the wall. On the outer from week one after only the one game in 2020, Dunstan was forced to dominate in the reserves to earn his way back into the starting 22.
Dunstan only managed the one game through the first 10 rounds of the 2021 season, with the Saints adamant that Dunstan would spend the remainder of his contract year in the reserves. According to Saints champion Nick Dal Santo, the Saints “to put it bluntly didn’t want him to play” at AFL level.
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Clearly a pill the midfielder wasn't ready to swallow, Dunstan banged down the selection door, taking advantage of the mounting injury list and the Saints' disappointing start to the season.
Averaging 37 disposals and two goals a game over a four-game stretch for Sandringham, Dunstan earned his way back into the side to be a shining light for the Saints in what was a difficult season.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Solidifying his spot in the side in the Saints' Round 12 upset win over the reigning premiers in Richmond with 32 disposals (17 contested) and a goal, Dunstan worked his magic and looked to have done enough to earn another contract at the Saints.
Despite performing on a week-to-week basis however, the Saints dropped the contested bull for their final round match against the Dockers in Launceston, all but underlying what looked to be the inevitable outcome.
Despite ranking in the top 30 in the competition for contested possessions per game, the club last Wednesday confirmed all speculation with the decision to not offer Dunstan with another contract past 2021. The 26-year-old is now without a home for 2022.
With this in mind, we've listed FIVE potential landing spots the gun onballer could find himself in 2022.
2. Carlton Blues
This wouldn't be the first time the Blues took advantage of an under-appreciated St Kilda player. Jack Newnes has reinvigorated his career at Carlton after finding himself out of form and out of favour at the Saints.
Newnes went from the outer at the Saints in 2019 to playing every game for the Blues in a COVID 2020 season, even breaking St Kilda fans hearts watching him be a match winner for another club with an astounding after-the-siren goal in Round 12.
Could Dunstan be the next Saint to reinvigorate his career at the Blues?
The Blues have paid big money to recruit outside talent to the club, an approach that similarly to the Saints didn't pay dividends in 2021. Picking up a contested bull like Dunstan to shoulder some of the inside work from captain Patrick Cripps would be invaluable.
And being able to do so without having to reach further into their wallets makes a move on Dunstan a match made in heaven.
The pair would be a great mix with both on the ball alongside Sam Walsh, but also allow Cripps to see more time in the forward-line, taking further strides to be a "Dusty Martin" type operator.
